The idea of drinking wheatgrass in the form of a juice may seem less than appetizing, but there are nutritional advantages found in this compound. Brent A. Bauer, M.D., from Mayo Clinic.com defines wheatgrass as a nutrient-rich supplement that may have health benefits. Wheatgrass contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals that may improve digestion and provide an additional vegetable to your diet. Talk to your doctor before deciding whether wheatgrass juice is right for you.
History
Agricultural chemist Charles F. Schnabel was the first to consider the nutritional value of grasses at the jointing stage. This is when grass starts to reproduce. This research gave birth to the use of cotyledons, the embryo within a wheat seed, to create wheatgrass. In the 1970s, Dr. Ann Wigmore continued with Schnabel's theories to create fresh juice from grass for therapeutic use, according to the Wholistic Research Company. Wheatgrass comes in two forms, juice and powder.
Calories
Wheatgrass juice is very low in calories. Vanderbilt University reports one 8-oz. glass of wheatgrass juice contains just 40 calories. The low calorie count of this drink adds to the benefit. To lose 1 lb. of fat a week, you must cut out 500 calories daily. Finding low-calorie alternatives to drinks like soda can help achieve that goal.
Nutritional Data
Wheatgrass juice is high in some essential nutrients the body needs to maintain health. Mayo Clinic.com states that this juice is rich in iron, calcium, magnesium and amino acids. Wheatgrass juice also contains vitamins A, C and E. Vanderbilt University states that wheatgrass juice has no fat, cholesterol, sodium or carbohydrates per 1-oz. serving and offers 6 percent vitamin C and 10 percent iron. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in most plants and algae. The Linus Pauling Institutes states that chlorophyll may help reduce the incidence of cancer. Drinking wheatgrass juice is one way to add chlorophyll to your diet. According to the Linus Pauling institute, more studies will be necessary to fully prove this theory.
Benefits
The benefits of wheatgrass juice are controversial. Dr. Bauer from Mayo Clinic.com reports that no significant studies support the many health claims made by wheatgrass proponents. Those who believe in the value of wheatgrass list it as a treatment for cancer, anemia, diabetes, constipation and joint pain. Adding wheatgrass juice to your diet does help increase the amount of vegetables you eat daily.
Considerations
Fresh vegetables and fruit may be more beneficial than wheatgrass juice. There are some side effects to drinking wheatgrass to consider, as well. These include nausea, headaches and allergic reactions. If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, do not drink wheatgrass juice without talking to your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, wheatgrass juice is not a good choice unless your physician recommends it.
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